There had never been a time like now when conquest wars were so active on the Nas Continent. Even though news doesn't travel in real-time, many regions across the continent are engaged in fierce battles repeatedly. It was not uncommon for today's lord to become a headless corpse by tomorrow.
Neighboring territories were basically considered enemies. Family ties? Human relations? Such things were no safety guarantees during this era of strife and warfare. In fact, there had been cases where war broke out between regions ruled by brothers, leading to the younger lord being captured and executed. Sons attacking fathers was no longer shocking news.
Moreover, most territories were not affiliated with any particular kingdom or empire, and the hierarchies were significantly broken. There was no central power, so kings or emperors of neighboring countries often gave out titles as gifts. To put it simply, it was a mess.
'If you show hostility openly, you're a fool. If you stay still, you're average. If you flatter and fawn, you're skilled.’
I had been pushing forward with my own plan for quite a while. It was an operation that involved sending gifts to the neighboring Mayorca and Ronella territories. I sent them various rare seafoods, including Krivia Magic Stones, a specialty of our land.
To gain favor? No. To maintain peace through humiliating diplomacy because we're weak?
Definitely not.
It was to make it seem as though we were in an inferior position, to act like a frightened lord. Truth be told, our territory was indeed smaller in size compared to the two, and we were being disregarded. So, from the moment I awoke in this life, I was certain of one scenario amongst many futures.
That was war.
Though the timing might vary, they would eventually invade our land. It was the conqueror's instinct to target weaker states in this era of chaos where the strong preyed on the weak.
So I used a multifaceted approach. Through Lakis, I discreetly trained soldiers internally, while outwardly, I strongly implied our desire for peace to the two territories. I sent letters of friendship and even tributes they didn't ask for.
There were various comments about this from the military, but I was confident in my strategy and paid no heed.
Knock, knock. At that moment, I heard a knock on the door and then Hayes's voice. "Lord, Sir Lakis is here."
"Invite him to the office. I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, my Lord."
I had called for him since morning to discuss matters regarding Lakis and the territory. Recently, Lakis was swamped with duties that even ten people wouldn't be enough to handle. Yet, seeing him work so hard without complaints or signs of struggle, I couldn't be more grateful.
Every time I thought about it, I realized that people who might have been considered insignificant in my past life in this world were incredibly important to me in this life. ‘Oh heavens! Whatever existence you may be, are you watching? If you are, hear my resolve. In this life, I am determined to become someone important, not just an extra. If I can’t be the main protagonist, then someone who surpasses the protagonist!’
I firmly resolved. Each person by my side, each connection, was incredibly precious. I didn’t want to lose them. War could obliterate all of that – it was the worst-case scenario. I didn’t have any intention of ending with a sad ending, not even a little.
Five minutes later, Jared and Lakis met in the office. Jared instructed Hayes to close both the inner and outer doors of the office. The outer door had been installed sometime back, as a soundproof structure Jared created to ensure no conversation from within leaked out. Thanks to it, even Hayes standing close to the outer door couldn’t hear anything being discussed inside. It provided perfect confidentiality.
“Lord, is it right for someone like me, merely a constable, to give a briefing on the entire territory?”
“In front of me, widen your thoughts. It doesn’t matter who does it; what matters is the heart with which it’s done. Don't be bound by positions. The judgment is mine.”
“Yes, Lord. Thanks to the active cooperation of Sir Obren from the agriculture section and Sir Avila from the trade section, all necessary information has been compiled. In particular, we were able to receive clearly organized data from the Arkenes Trading Group.”
As expected, it was Arkenes. ‘My intuition wasn’t wrong.’
Jared’s heavy expression brightened. Recruiting Arkenes turned out to be a divine move. They were thriving like fish in water, and the trading group’s scale was increasing rapidly. The report even suggested that they might soon surpass the existing Eyheim trading group, which was directly operated by the territory. Jared pulled up a chair and sat down, focusing on Lakis's words.
“Alright. Let’s hear everything smoothly.”
“Recently, the main sources of income for the territory are the entry fees to the Forest of Nightmares, toll roads, taxes, sales of herbs and potions through the directly operated Arkenes Trading Group, and the inflow of gold through trades with the Red Goblin.”
“Yes. How goes the trade with the Red Goblin?”
“It is said to be quite satisfactory. Goblin Lord Ivaniva was grateful for supplying high-quality stones and even gave us an extra cart of gold this time. Its worth amounts to 4000 gold coins.”
“For them, iron and gold might be common, but stones are rare, so maybe it's only natural for them to spend lavishly. They don’t seem to like wars, so they wouldn’t need much iron either.”
“Most of these funds have been spent on military expenses.”
“That was my instruction.”
“Yes. As per your orders, all major roads across the territory have been repaired and maintained, and every workshop is running 24 hours to accelerate weapon production. All produced weapons are stored in a secret warehouse, unknown to outsiders.”
“How is the training situation?”
“Thanks to your full support, we have restored many skilled instructors, creating enormous synergy. The training condition is extremely satisfactory. The soldiers are highly motivated since they get to eat their fill of rice and meat during training!”
“That’s a piece of good news. In the future, do not skimp on military expenses for the soldiers. Make sure they have quality bread and tasty meat to eat.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Let’s continue with the briefing.”
“We also completed the overhaul of the irrigation facilities. It is now possible to stably supply water from Lake Raina to the farmland. The chronic water issue is completely resolved!”
“Then the farmland maintenance is more or less done…….”
“Yes. With the road maintenance completed, managing the territory by dividing sections has become much easier. It will aid in the administration of the territory.”
“And how are the employment conditions of the Agriculture Director, Trade Director, and Security Director?”
“The talents you have appointed in the newly established administrative departments are enthusiastically assisting their superiors. Sir Obren, Sir Avila, and I are all satisfied.”
“Certainly, the division of work should be efficient.”
“Yes, all thanks to your foresight, my Lord.”
Lakis nodded.
Not long ago, Jared had established new positions within the administrative department and greatly increased related personnel. Instead of selecting talents through connections or blood relations, recruitment was done publicly. Jared personally interviewed them, carefully listening to their ambitions and plans, and he cross-checked their potential using his intuition. Ultimately, the talents selected and approved by Jared were promising individuals with potential for development in their respective fields. They were perfectly suited to train as replacements for the seventy-year-old Obren and Avila.
‘All of them were so eager to start working in the fields they had longed for that their loyalty skyrocketed immediately.’ Remembering this, Jared was satisfied, smiling contentedly. So great was their zeal that they all reached loyalty level 100 the moment their work began. Truly, they were ‘Loyal, loyal to you, my Lord!’
“It’s cautious to say such things, but everything is going smoothly. I almost think things are going too well!”
“There’s no need to be cautious. I, you, and many others have the same thought.”
“Especially with your extensive support, the military's morale is sky-high. However, there is something I'm sorry to report…….”
“It’s alright. Speak. I am still in the process of reflecting on my past mistakes.”
“There were actually quite a few retired soldiers. Until last year, the military's budget was consistently cut, and consequently, well-paid veterans were the first to be let go. There were strict orders from you, my Lord, at that time……”
Lakis bowed his head deeply.
This, too, was a decision directly made and executed by Jared. Although the current Jared was nothing short of a perfect lord, back then he had indeed been nothing more than a hopeless delinquent.
Jared's face turned red.
“I am just ashamed.”
“No, my Lord. I can now give joyful news! With your support, numerous experienced soldiers have returned. Having defended the territory against monster invasions in the past, they are seasoned warriors, becoming a great asset to you, my Lord.”
"How many are there?"
"At least 100. They're in training in the basin too. Externally, confidentiality is completely maintained, as those who are loose-tongued were not reinstated at all."
"Oh…."
Roughly calculating, it stood like this:
The officially recognized strength of the territory's army was about 300. However, when including the hidden detachments, it exceeded 1300. It essentially encompassed all available forces within the territory, without hiring external mercenaries.
Having a hidden detachment meant holding a joker card for a decisive strike.
"Everything is ready, my Lord. We are prepared to fight any battle in top condition."
Lakis's voice, full of determination, carried a sense of solemnity. With this very feeling, he was passionately training and educating the soldiers. At that very moment. Knock knock knock. Knock knock knock. Along with the knocking sounds, came Hayes's voice.
"My Lord! Just now, the envoy from Mayorca Territory, including Wizard Akron, has arrived!"
"What? Akron himself?"
Lakis's expression darkened.
"It seems they're here to demand more or issue threats."
There is only one reason to send Chief Wizard Akron. It signifies the intention of the lord to communicate their will clearly and precisely through their right-hand man. Akron would likely be my first major adversary in any territory war. He was by no means lightweight.
"So it’s begun."
I stood up immediately. It indicated that the fellows who had been meekly accepting tributes were now beginning to take serious action.
The fact that they started to move means that a bloody storm may soon follow.
I was certain. My past life's experiences, instincts, and calm judgment were guiding the way toward a proper future.
Chapter 36